When was the last time a female presidential candidate became famous for a roast chicken recipe? Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s campaign is different from past campaigns in a number of ways, from the contenders joining TikTok to the growing number of themed phone calls, from Swifties’ songs for Harris to Kamala’s video stories.
On Thursday, more than 60 celebrity chefs and food personalities will join co-hosts Padma Lakshmi and Joel McHale on the livestream of “Cooking for Kamala,” which will feature recipe demonstrations including the popular roast chicken (lots of garlic is key). Chef José Andrés and “Top Chef” judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons will also be on the show.
The live stream on cookingforkamala.com starts at 8pm ET/5pm PT and lasts for 90 minutes.
“Every time I was with Kamala we talked about food,” Lakshmi says. diverseCelebrities, including chefs, have a role to play in the election, she says.
“We need every voice and every means possible to spread the word that this is not a sit-at-home election. If having someone in public tell you something means you’re going to listen for the benefit of all of us, that’s great,” Lakshmi says.
The former “Top Chef” host is a longtime friend and supporter of Harris, and wrote about her in The New York Times in 2020. “She is someone I trust,” Lakshmi says. “Being a woman is a beacon of hope for all women in this country. The fact that she is a person of color will go a long way in healing some very deep wounds for so many of us. Her election to this highest office in our country will also restore faith that our country is truly a democracy, and that we have risen above some of the most extreme forms of bigotry and misogyny.”
“I’ve known Kamala for 20 years, and cooking with family and friends is a huge part of her life,” said Congressman Eric Swalwell, one of the organizers of the video call. “After hosting Comics for Kamala, I wanted to create an interactive event where Kamala supporters could make Kamala’s favorite recipe with America’s best chefs. The event was a collaboration with Chefs Susan Goin, Susan Feniger, and Stuart O’Keefe — through their hard work, we attracted some of the best chefs known across our country.”
Among the Los Angeles chefs and restaurateurs who joined the call were Susan Feniger, who submitted her recipe for coconut apricot cookies for the demo, Susan Goin, Nancy Silverton, Michael Cimarusti, Mary Sue Milliken, Nikki Nakayama, Carol Ida Nakayama, Steve and Dina Samson, Ben Ford, Akasha Richmond, Nell Fraser, and Josiah Citrin.
The call is also expected to feature prominent chefs from the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City and elsewhere, including April Bloomfield, Kat Cora, Marcus Samuelsson, Jonathan Waxman, Chris Bianco, Carla Hall and Alice Waters. Food writers Ruth Reichl and Molly Paz will also join the call.
